Alexander McQueen is now lending a hand with young creative students in East London to thrive through its latest philanthropic project. The British fashion house is financially and creatively supporting A Team Arts Education, a community organization based in London’s Tower Hamlets that helps to encourage young people to enter the arts.
The centre, which recently lost government support, teaches many skills and crafts, such as printing, painting and embroidery. Its aim is to help young people who don’t have access to the arts to get started on a career path that’s focused on creativity and design. Many schools in the Tower Hamlets have removed art-leaning curriculum options. So, the East London group works to encourage creative engagement with subjects that may no longer be available at school, operating on Saturdays and during holidays.
“We want to team up with them to do weekend and after-school classes, and help people to get a portfolio together,” explains Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton. “It feels especially important for us to be able to take part in supporting young people from the East End of London, where Lee Alexander McQueen grew up. At this house we all know that talent comes from everywhere, irrespective of background.”
Alexander McQueen is no stranger to lending a hand to young talents. The British label has adopted a multitude of schemes and initiatives to support young creatives. The top floor space of the McQueen Bond Street store is an ‘experiential space’ dedicated to encouraging creativity, where students and fashion fans alike can take in the brand’s final designs, toiles, and samples. There are even workshops held in the store covering everything from pattern-cutting to fashion history and communications are held for schools and colleges.
“It’s vital that people have access to creativity, especially children,” Burton said to Harper’s Bazaar in an interview. “So much of it has been taken away from schools, and people don’t see it as leading to a career. But fashion is a huge industry in this country. It’s an amazing melting pot. And if you’re really brilliant with computers, or good at maths, you could come and work here. I want to reach out to younger children and say that this is a possibility. Even if you don’t want to do this job, I think music and creativity are so important for your soul.”
Over the next year, Alexander McQueen will support A Team Arts Education financially, while also leading workshops and classes. ‘The Explore Programme’, the organization’s introduction to fashion, textiles and art and design pathways will include live experiences with the brand’s design, textile and embroidery professionals.
